Free Athena's Ashes by Jamie Grey Page A

fun.
    “I demand you tell me what this is about,” Sherle said.
    “Then I need you to tell me who your contact is at MYTH.” Renna leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees. The position also allowed a clear view of her cleavage.
    Sherle’s gaze didn’t even waver from her face. “Why?”
    Well, it had been worth a shot at least. Renna straightened again and tried a different tactic. “Mr. Sherle—or may I call you Epher?—your company is about to be investigated by the Coalition Association for Scientific and Technical Research for illegal research practices. MYTH wants to leave you swinging in the wind, deny all involvement, but I’m here to help you.”
    “And who are you exactly?”
    “I’m a MYTH special agent. I’m trying to track down whoever sold you out, and I think they’re inside the organization. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” She let her gaze linger on him, slightly suggestive. The man flushed and dropped his gaze.
    Ah, good. She was finally getting through.
    Sherle pulled up a set of charts on his monitor. “MYTH funding accounts for sixty percent of our budget. We were formed from a startup company five years ago by the medical arm of the government, but our mandate changed three years ago to focus on manufacturing and design of networked computer systems that can be used for long-range communication.”
    She nodded, pretending to already know that information. “Correct. And tell me, how often do you have contact with the MYTH shareholders? Who directs your production and costs?”
    “Twice yearly we send a shareholders’ report on our progress to MYTH. As long as we keep making strides toward finalizing the comm plan, Major Larson leaves us alone.” He paused. “I don’t understand why we’re in trouble with the CASTR. We operate above board, within the rules of the Arlon Treaty. Why would they be investigating us?”
    Renna twitched with excitement. He’d named Larson as one of the contacts. She was on the right track. “I’m afraid there is some internal turmoil within MYTH that is affecting certain special projects. I suggest you search for new shareholders and reduce your dependence on MYTH funding. If you’re caught in the crossfire, it will destroy this company.”
    His eyes widened. “But…”
    “I am telling you the truth, Mr. Sherle. Don’t trust any communications from MYTH or their subsidiaries. In the meantime, I’ll do what I can to delay the investigation.”
    “Why do you care?” He placed his hands on his desk and leaned forward to study her. “Why are you helping me?”
    She smiled slyly. “This is where we get to the back-scratching part.” Renna stood up and moved toward the desk. “I need access to your files and network.”
    His jaw gaped. “What? No.”
    “Just for a five minutes. I need to run a scan. I promise I won’t leak any of your info. I’m looking for something specific.”
    “What?”
    “I can’t tell you that. It’s classified. But I promise I’m not here to audit you. Your secrets are safe, Mr. Sherle.”
    The purple had faded from his face, turning it ashen. “Absolutely not. Those files are confidential.”
    Renna sighed and got to her feet. Why could people just never do as they were told? It would make everything so much easier.
    He glared at her. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some shareholders to contact.”
    “I’m afraid not, Mr. Sherle.” Renna crossed behind the desk and pulled out a small white packet. She opened it, and a small pile of light blue powder sat in the middle.
    “What is that?” Sherle demanded.
    Renna smiled and blew the powder into his face.
    He spluttered in panic and waved his hands around, trying to brush the powder away. “What did you do, girl?”
    “Took care of a complication. Goodnight, Mr. Sherle. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
    A moment later, he slumped over his desk, sound asleep.
    “Lieutenant, can you get him out of the way please?” Renna asked,